Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order a probe into the allegation of corruption and denial of entitlement and allowances under the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme.

SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni, made the call following a petition his organisation received from Mr. Sukore O Daniel, Mr. Ekperi Abel, Mr. Enodeh B. Eniyekperi, Mr. Ebaretonbofa J. Keme, Mr. Akperi Tamaraebi and Mr. Godspower A. Desmonds all of Patani Community in Delta State.

According to SERAP: “The petitioners alleged that they have gone through the required training under the Amnesty Programme by the Federal Government. Although the Amnesty Office has issued identification cards to the petitioners and the Office has collected their bank details, the petitioners have not received their monthly payment of N65, 000 (Naira) due to them under the Programme from November, 2011 to date.”

The organisation said that “We are seriously concerned that the accrued allowances to the petitioners might have been stolen, diverted or mismanaged. We fear that these cases may not just be isolated incidents and that they are likely to be a broader pattern of corruption, and impunity, and are in large part the consequence of the previous government’s failure to address it.”

“We believe that the President can play a leadership role in helping to address the problem and ensure justice and fair play to those affected. Doing so will be entirely consistent the anti-corruption policy of this government,” the organisation also said.

According to the organisation, “Nigeria has an obligation under international anti-corruption treaties such as the UN Convention against Corruption to which the country is a state party to investigate any allegations of corruption and mismanagement, as alleged by the petitioners in this case.

“SERAP believes that a thorough investigation to establish the truth will contribute to transparency and accountability, consistent with the policy of your government. It will also help to provide justice to those that have been affected.”